Painful and troublesome yellow star thistle was introduced from Chile during the gold rush (we think). It thrives wherever soil has been depleted or disturbed. It makes itself quite at home where cattle have perhaps overgrazed and it’s bad for horses.

Roots will extend three feet down into the soil, allowing yellow star thistle to out-compete more beneficial plants. Fortunately, goats love it and will eat it at almost any stage of its development. The best time of year to let the goats at it is a little later in the grazing season, just as flowering begins. When the timing of grazing is right, over 90% of the seeds will perish inside the goat’s digestive system.